Spend 16 days touring Mongolia by bike to Khovsgol Lake
The Mountain Biking to Khovsgol Lake has been carefully planned to provide beautiful views of the diverse landscapes and scenes of Mongolia, as well as the different lifestyles of its people, including nomads and locals in small villages.
The majority of the days on this tour will be split into two parts: driving and cycling. Given Mongolia's vast territory and weak infrastructure, getting from one place to another is a major undertaking. In addition to cycling, travelers will see, visit, taste, experience, and share as much as possible in order to get the most out of their Mongolian adventure.
Throughout the journey, you will traverse a variety of terrain that includes high mountain passes, river crossings, and so on, but don’t be scared off, as you will have plenty of support. A member of the team will ride ahead of the cyclists to ensure that the first arrivals have all they need and are well cared for when they arrive at their destination.
Slow pacers will also be accompanied by a support team, with the option to load your bikes into a vehicle to complete each stage by car if need be. Make it to the impressive shores of Khovsgol Lake and revel in having the place to yourself!
Highlights of the Mountain Biking to Khovsgol Lake
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The Mountain Biking to Khovsgol Lake Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival at Ulaanbaatar and Optional City Tour
Guests will be greeted upon arrival at the airport, before being transported to a convenient, centrally located hotel. A 4-5h city tour can be arranged depending on your arrival time, which includes Bogd Khan's Winter & Summer Palace, a series of beautiful traditional buildings in which the eighth Living Buddha and the last king lived.
You will also explore the Gandantegchinlen Monastery, which is the largest and most important monastery within Mongolia, before visiting the magnificent 82-foot high statue of Migjid Janraisig. You will finish the city tour atop Zaisan hill for a view of Ulaanbaatar.
In the evening, your tour guide will give you a short briefing about the coming trip and answer all your questions, before taking you to a famous Mongolian restaurant for a first taste of Mongolian food.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Drive to Uran-Togoo Tulga Uul Natural Reserve, Bulgan
Following a delicious breakfast, you will depart by vehicle towards the extinct volcano of Uran Uul, which is located 500 kilometers west of the capital city. Uran Uul and nearby Togoo Uul, located 60 kilometers west of Bulgan city, are now part of the 1600-hectare Uran-Togoo Tulga Uul Natural Reserve in the Khutag-Ondor sum (district).
The west side of the volcano has trails that lead to the summit, and there are some pleasant accessible camping sites available, as well as a breathtaking view to be experienced.
Overnight Location: Camping in Bulgan
Distance: 550km of driving
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 3 Travel to Moron Town and Visit to Uushgiin Uvur Deer Stone
Upon waking up and enjoying breakfast, you will travel further west and north to visit the Uushgiin Uvur deer stone complex, before continuing on towards Moron, which is the provincial capital of Khovsgol.
Once in the city, you will stop at a nearby market to stock up on supplies and enjoy the comforts of a hotel and a restaurant meal before heading to the wilderness the next day.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Moron Town
Distance: 300km of driving
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Sumber Settlement
After breakfast, you will start driving north and will eventually arrive in the charming Sumber village early in the afternoon. This is where your cycling tour will begin on the following day.
Overnight Location: Camping in Sumber Village
Distance: 45km of driving, 38km of biking
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 5 Cycling to Toom Settlement
Today you will begin your seven-day cycling expedition in the remote Tsaatan and reindeer area. Once you have explored the region by bike and marveled at its beauty, you will arrive in the small village of Toom after a full day of cycling.
Overnight Location: Camping in Toom Village
Distance: 30km of biking
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Cycling to Oliin Davaa
Day 6 of your cycling adventure will see you travel north to cross the Oliin Davaa Pass. Here, you will set up camp near Ulaan-Uul village for the night.
Overnight Location: Camping in Ulaan-Uul Village
Distance: 40km of biking
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7 Cycle to Soyo Settlement
Today you will finally arrive at the Darkhadiin Khotgor Depression, which was once a glacial lake and is now surrounded on all sides by high mountains with a height exceeding nearly 3000 meters. The dramatic landscape here is also home to over 150 alpine lakes.
From here, you will continue north to Soyo village, where you will set up camp along the banks of the Khog River.
Overnight Location: Camping in Soyo Village
Distance: 53km of biking
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8 Rest Day and Fishing
Day 8 of the tour will see you receive some much needed rest from the previous days of cycling. Fishing is available to those who are interested, so don’t forget to bring your fishing equipment! The lake and rivers here are home to over a dozen fish species such as Sturgeon, grayling, salmon, taimon. Accommodation in a tented camp.
Overnight Location: Camping in Soyo Village
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9-11 Cycling Expedition in the Alpine Lakes and Tsaatan Tribe Visit
You will spend the next three days exploring the alpine lakes area. The Mongolian minor ethnic group known as Tsaatan or Dukha lives in this remote and wild area, and are some of the world's last remaining reindeer herders.
Here, you will have the opportunity to visit the Tsaatan tribe, learn about their culture, and experience the impact of Shamanism on their everyday lives. On the final day, you will set up camp near Renchinlkhumbe village.
Overnight Location: Camping in Renchinlkhumbe village
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner=
Day 12 Drive to Khovsgol Lake
Today you will leave the Darkhadiin Khotgor Depression and head towards Khovsgol Lake. Depending on the weather and road conditions, the drivers will take either a shortcut straight through the mountains or a longer detour to arrive at the “Mongolian Blue Pearl,” a breathtakingly beautiful lake.
Khovsgol Lake is a massive alpine lake with a surface area of 2760 square kilometers (130 km long and 30 km wide), surrounded by mountain chains, dense pine forests, and green meadows with grazing yaks and horses. The lake receives crystal clear water from over 100 small rivers and streams.
Overnight Location: Camping in Khovsgol Lake
Distance: 150km of driving
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 13 Cycle around the Lake Shore
We'll spend the whole day exploring the lakeshore and mountains surrounding it. Horseback riding, visiting reindeer families, hiking, and canoeing will be available to those who are interested.
Overnight Location: Camping in Khovsgol Lake
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 14 Drive to Moron
Take advantage of your last morning in the Mongolian wilderness. Afterwards, you will travel to Moron, the capital of Khovsgol province, where you will catch your flight to Ulaanbaatar the next day.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Moron
Distance: 130km of driving
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 15 Flight Back to Ulaanbaatar
The time has come to leave and fly back to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia's capital. You can use your free afternoon as you see fit; a good option is to go see lovely cultural exhibitions and admire the contortionists while watching colorful and rhythmic Mongolian dances.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Ulaanbaatar
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 16 Departure
After breakfast, guests will bid farewell to Ulaanbaatar with an individual departure.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
The Mountain Biking to Khovsgol Lake Price and Dates
This guided mountain bike tour to Khovsgol Lake is always run as a private tour for your group only and the price is fixed.
Pricing below is per person:
- Guided Groups of 2+: $3,975 USD per person
Accommodation on the Mountain Biking to Khovsgol Lake
This tour is based in hotels and camps. Hotels on this trip are 2 and 3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Camps are simple but all your gear is included.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotels and Camps around Khovsgol Lake
The accommodation on this tour will range from hotels to ger camps and tents. Four nights in hotels and eleven nights in camps or tents to provide you an authentic taste of Mongolian culture and adventure. Tents are of a modern, western design.
What’s Included in the Mountain Biking to Khovsgol Lake?
Meals
15 breakfasts, 14 lunches, and 15 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 15 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Local transportation, flights, and local airport transfers are included for you and your luggage. Mountain bikes to use are also included. International airport transfers are not included but can be booked as an extra supplement. Please note that local flights have luggage included of up to 10kg and any extra weight is a subject to extra charge (around 2 USD per kg).
Also Included
- English-speaking guide
- Camping and Kitchen equipment
- National park entrance fees
- Museum and monasteries entrance tickets
- Helmet
- Mountain Bike Rental
Not included
- City touring
- Medical, trip insurance
- Anything not mentioned as included
- Meals not previously mentioned
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Visa if required
- Personal gear
Optional Extras
- City tour
- Airport transfers
Frequently Asked Questions about Mountain Biking to Khovsgol Lake
Mongolian Dot Travel is a B2B company that is a member of the Mongolian Tourism Association and one of Mongolia's most reputable and professional Destination Management Companies.
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